Kyte Transfers To REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) Patty Kyte has seen one of the fiercest rivalries in Atlantic University Sport and U SPORTS men’s hockey from one side.
Now he’s about to see it from the other.
The veteran defenceman is joining the defending U Cup and AUS champion UNB REDS as a transfer from STFX.
“They’re both great hockey programs and playing against UNB, especially at home at STFX was a big deal and a game everyone looked forward to,” said Kyte. “Playing at UNB was always a challenge. Their effort and structure on the ice was tough to match.”
Kyte will enter UNB’s renowned MBA program after earning his Business degree in Antigonish.
He says choosing UNB was easy.
“I reached out to Coach MacDougall after the season and things rolled from there,” he said. “I visited Fredericton and was very impressed with the team’s emphasis on culture and history, and, of course, their success, winning four national championships in the last six tournaments.”
On top of that, Kyte has family connections at UNB.
“My parents and oldest brother attended UNB,” he said. “I knew UNB was a respected university, academically, but also fielded a strong hockey team.”
Kyte spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons with the X-Men following a three-season major junior career that saw him play for the Halifax Mooseheads and Chicoutimi Saugenéen.
In 2019, he was part of the Mooseheads team that hosted the Memorial Cup and advanced to the championship game.
“He’s been an outstanding player in our league and has valuable national championship and Memorial Cup experience,” said REDS’ head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “He’s a strong puck-mover who can join the play, has a very competitive mindset and great teammate values.”
“We were excited when he reached out to say he was considering doing his MBA here,” added Coach MacDougall. “We’ve had great success with transfer students who get a valuable addition to their degree that is a difference-maker in their lives, and they usually become high-performers on the ice with our team. He’s a well-respected player and has tremendous family pedigree with deep roots at X and here at UNB.”
“I was fortunate to play in the Memorial Cup final with Halifax and win a U SPORTS bronze medal with the X-Men,” said Kyte. “I’ll bring a positive presence inside and outside of the locker room and a tough, clean game. I’ll clear out opposing players from in front of our net and I can engage fast, two-way puck moving on the back end.”
Kyte says his decision has met with some good-natured ribbing from former X-Men teammates over the summer.
“I made some special bonds and lifelong friendships with my teammates at X,” he said. “There have been some laughs and joking around, but they understand and respect the transfer.”
Kyte, whose uncle Jim played almost 600 games in the NHL with Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Ottawa and San Jose, has three years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining and plans to complete his MBA in two.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to defend the AUS and U SPORTS titles for the returning players and run it back with the team,” he said. “I’m eager to join the REDS environment and grow as a person and a hockey player.”
As for experiencing the X-UNB rivalry from the REDS side, Kyte is enthusiastic.
“The intensity and atmosphere will be similar, but with a target on our backs,” he said. “I’m excited to go back to STFX and be on the other side.”
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
FILE PHOTO: James West/for UNB Athletics